Eli’s Heart, non-profit organization. Founded by parents of a child with Down syndrome and helps families with travel expenses associated with medical procedures. For families that need to travel for surgeries they provide plane tickets, hotel rooms, gas cards, meal cards, etc. www.elisheart.org

Applications accepted through April 1, 2015 for the The O'Neill Tabani Enrichment Fund which offers financial assistance to adults, 18 and older, who have Down syndrome and wish to continue to enhance their lives by taking classes or enrolling in postsecondary educational programs. Since 2005 this fund provided by the National Down Syndrome Society has awarded 92 grants of up to $5,000 to help cover the cost of postsecondary or enrichment courses. Link here.

Revised edition available of the housing resource guide. Published by the Westchester Institute for Human Development and details the various resources available. Link Here.

The Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act Overwhelmingly Passes in US House of Representatives. Click HERE to read the article.

Student Draft IEP Interactive Tool courtesy of the Hudson Valley Special Education Parent Center, Westchester Institute for Human Development Research indicates that students who are involved in their special education program planning are more successful in school. However, many students do not even attend their IEP meetings, and of those who do, few participate in a meaningful way. Most report boredom and feeling uncomfortable - even wishing they were back in class!! The IEP meeting is soley devoted to the individual student and it is critical that their voice be heard and impact the decisions made. Like the other members of the IEP team, student participation will only be meaningful if they understand the purpose and what is going on. Preparation is important. The more knowledge students have of the process, the more engaged they will be.

This interactive tool helps students prepare information that is relevant to IEP development. It will assist them to develop their own "draft IEP" to be shared with the rest of the IEP team and serve as a helpful resource to facilitate their participation in the discussion. Website --> http://www.hvsepc.org/iep-tool.html

Online Support Group for families of individuals with developmental disabilities in Orange County. Hosted by the Mental Health Association. Private forum where you can share your thoughts and gain constructive feedback. Download flyer here.

Gigi’s Playhouse to open site in Westchester County. The Playhouse creates a “home away from home”. By providing a fun and nurturing learning environment GiGi’s Playhouse Westchester will empower individuals with Down syndrome and their families. GiGi’s research-based educational and therapeutic programs are designed to enhance fine and gross motor skills, speech and language, academics, life skills, self-esteem, and more. They will provide literacy and math tutoring programs that have documented success with learners who happen to have Down syndrome because they are designed to teach in the ways they learn best. All programs are FREE, and they welcome everyone to come and play. Click Here for more info.

Clinical research study available at Johns Hopkins for adults with Down Syndrome ages 18-30.Download Brochure Here.

Website resource: http://www.onlineschools.org/financial-aid/disabilitiesA link for a college planning site that created a comprehensive scholarship guide for current and prospective students with disabilities. The guide serves as an additional tool for students who are struggling to finance their education. They included over 70 scholarships specifically for students with disabilities, thoroughly explaining eligibility, award amounts, and most importantly, how to apply.

NIH launches first national Down syndrome registry. The National Institutes of Health has launched DS-Connect, a Web-based health registry that will serve as a national health resource for people with Down syndrome and their families, researchers, and health care providers. Website Here -->https://dsconnect.nih.gov/